By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s security agencies have arrested a self-acclaimed Director General of “fake” agency of the federal government, Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi in an operation in the South West State of Osun State, just hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his arrest over his repeated failure to appear for trial.
Justice Mohammed Umar had on Tuesday ordered his arrest after the defendant again failed to honour the court’s summons in a case involving allegations of forgery, impersonation and the falsification of presidential documents.
Adeyemi according to sources familiar with the matter was apprehended at his hideout and is expected to be moved to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.
The arrest came shortly after the court heard submissions from defence counsel, Genesis Francis, who informed the court that he had been unable to persuade his client to appear because the defendant feared for his safety.
Adeyemi was expected to take his plea on an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force over his alleged operation of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council in a government facility, an organisation Nigeria’s presidency says was never created.
His absence from court came barely a day after he denied reports that he was hiding from security agencies.
He said in a televised interview on Monday that he is only concerned about his safety. He said, “I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger.
“There have been several attempts on my life.”
He also repeated his allegation that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to a top government official in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council.
The police had earlier disclosed that investigations into the “fictitious” agency’s scandal began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over the circulation of forged appointment letters purportedly issued from the office.
Investigators alleged that Adeyemi forged documents contained fake signatures, reference numbers, official seals and the Nigerian Coat of Arms and were used to create the impression that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was a legitimate Federal Government agency.
Police further alleged that Adeyemi presented himself as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja.
At the court on Tuesday, the prosecution, led by Wisdom Madaki, applied for a bench warrant. Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, however told the court that his client feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu.
According to the lawyer, the defendant intended to remain alive to stand trial.
Responding, Justice Umar said, “The court will help him be alive,” before ordering that a bench warrant be issued for Adeyemi’s arrest. The judge subsequently adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.
